The number of non-permanent residents in Quebec increased again at the end of 2023, an increase which can be explained in particular by the massive arrival of asylum seekers, for whom the Legault government is once again calling for better distribution. across Canada.
The latest count from Statistics Canada, made public Wednesday morning, shows more than 560,000 temporary immigrants residing in Quebec at the start of the first quarter of 2024 (1er January). This is an increase of 32,000 people since the statistical agency’s last update, made public in December.
Among these new arrivals are nearly 177,000 asylum seekers, an increase of 16,000 since the last count. “Clearly, the federal government must take its responsibilities and distribute asylum seekers throughout Canada, in other provinces,” reiterated Quebec Minister of Immigration, Christine Fréchette, a few moments after learning of its new data.
However, the data suggests a slowdown in the growth of temporary immigrants. This is the smallest increase in the number of non-permanent residents in a year. As for work and study permit holders, as well as their relatives, there were more than 383,000 on the first day of the year.
The publication of these statistics comes a few hours before a meeting between Minister Fréchette and her federal counterpart, Marc Miller. The elected CAQ member intends to take advantage of this interview to “address the distribution of asylum seekers”.
In addition to demanding action from Ottawa on this issue, Quebec is asking that the federal government pay it approximately $1 billion to compensate for the services offered to people awaiting asylum since 2021.
Further details will follow.
With Sarah Boumedda
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